This is the letter I had promised from Senator Hatch. I hope you all enjoy this as much
as I did.

Dear Mr. Worthington:

Thank you for expressing your concerns about the antitrust action suit against
Microsoft.

Let me first say that Microsoft deserves credit for its tremendous success in the
computer operation systems market. Microsoft s growth has been a key factor in the success
of the U.S. computer software industries, two industries which have been central forces in
our new economy. I also reject suggestions that policy makers ought to be concerned about
Microsoft simply because of its size, market share, and exponential growth rate. It does
not, and should not, violate antitrust laws to outperform one s competitors. But Microsoft
s success in the operating system market does not entitle it to a permanent, unchallenged
monopoly, nor should it entitle Microsoft to a monopoly over desktop access to the
Internet.

I am concerned that Microsoft appears to be abusing its Windows dominance by coercing
companies to exclude competitive Internet products. For example, it has been alleged that
Microsoft threatened to terminate Compaq s Windows 95 license agreement if it removed
Microsoft Network and Internet Explorer icons from the desktop on all Compaq machines and
replaced them with Netscape. I believe that actions like these may limit consumer choice
by not allowing them to choose which Internet provider they want included on their new
computers. Microsoft s actions may have broken antitrust laws, and I support the Justice
Department s investigation. As the Judiciary Committee has oversight responsibilities for
antitrust law, I plan to continue the ongoing inspection of Microsoft s business
practices. This examination will look at the broader issed surrounding competition and
innovation in an effort to make policies that will allow for fair, unencumbered
competition.

Again, thank you for contacting me regarding this issue. I am grateful for your input.

Sincerely,

Orrin G. Hatch

United States Senator

I believe that I will let that speak for itself. One conclusion I have made is that he
has no comprehensive plan and evidence to stick with.